Supreme Sports Reopens After $6.5 Million Overhaul

The Columbia Association will unveil its $6.5 million renovation andexpansion of the new Supreme Sports Club at a grand opening party onFriday for members and guests.

Two years in the making, the new facility includes three buildings that house an indoor track, a roller-skating rink, basketball and volleyball courts and a new women's gym.

The 110,000-square-foot club is thought to be the largest privaterecreation facility in the state, said Rob Goldman, CA's director ofmembership services.

To expand the club, CA bought the old Skateland building next to the club on Deepage Drive for $1.6 million. An underground tunnel connects the original club, the former roller-skating facility and a new, two-story building.

According to CA officials, the expanded facility will have no trouble attracting users.

"There's a demand for roller skating and a significant demand for basketball and volleyball," Goldman said.

"Our current indoor swim center is overused. We have to turn people away for lap swims and lessons. And this will be the first full-sized indoor track in the county,"he said.

The club will be closed this week as finishing touches are completed on the new facility. During opening week, the club also will sponsor activities for non-members.

As part of the expansion project, the entire Skateland facility was gutted and replaced with atrack 1/10th of a mile long track. Surrounding the track is a 12,000-square-foot hardwood floor, which will be used for basketball, volleyball and roller skating.

There will be skating sessions open to the public for a fee on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The skating facility also will house the club's new restaurant, the Courtside Cafe. To feed 500 to 600 skaters, traditional concession fare, such as pizza and nachos, will be available during skating sessions. However, beer and wine will not be sold during skating hours.

"We think it's not prudent," Goldman said.

The eight-lane, 25-yard swimming pool will be on the first floor of the newly constructed two-story building. While relaxing in the large whirlpool spa, bathers can gaze out a window overlooking a woodedarea.

A nursery, pro shop, lounge area and locker rooms will be on the second floor of the new building.

The repainted, recarpeted original Supreme Court facility will house the new women-only gym, featuring Lady Nautilus equipment, designed for women. The renovated club will also house the racquetball courts, free weights and cardiovascular exercise equipment.

For children ages 6 months to 17, the club will offer the Kidsport program to make children aware of the health benefits and fun associated with physical fitness.

"It's aimed at the 95 percent of the youth population that aren't going to play varsity sports in high school," Goldman said.

The club also has a new "education wellness classroom" for lectures on stress and weight management and other health issues.